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I understand that this discussion is likely to raise questions and/or objections from people who are not meat-eaters or pescatarians. Is fish essential for your diet? Whilst I don’t know how essential it is for healing, I intuitively feel that it should be about what feels good. If you enjoy eating fish or feel healthier for it, go ahead. If you don’t, then don’t! I think being in a state of joy, happiness and peace is much more important in healing than any particular source of nutrients. Do what feels good for you.
Fish, Fish Everywhere... and LOTS of it to eat!
Since moving to the Middle East six months ago, I have increased the amount of fish in my diet. Fresh fish is readily available here. It is possible in most supermarkets here to buy whole fish at a reasonable price. It is beautiful simply baked in the oven with some herbs and garlic. I tend to eat a mixture of fish types three times a week now. I eat a mixture of white fish (responsibly-sourced cod, haddock, hake, pollock, and so on) plus some oily fish (responsibly-sourced tuna, salmon, trout, and more). On occasion, maybe once or twice a month, I will also add in shellfish like scallops, mussels, and shrimp. The occasional serving of sushi is welcomed too…!
Why is Fish SO Good for Type 1 Diabetes?
- Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA)
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B2
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Iron
- Zinc
- Iodine
- Magnesium
- Potassium
Interestingly, a few of the nutrients listed here immediately jump out at me as being particularly noteworthy for a T1D healing journey. (I plan to post on each of these nutrients separately forthwith so the following is just the broad brushstrokes of what I have discovered.)
Omega-3 fatty acids are great for aiding recovery from anxiety and depression (see The Depression Cure by Dr Steve S. Ilardi for more information on this – great book, btw!). I have used Omega-3 supplements for this purpose myself in the past. With high rates of generalised anxiety disorder, dysthymia (a chronic form of low-grade depression) and depression in the Type 1 Diabetes population, I believe that Omega-3 becomes vital for sustained health. Furthermore, for first-generation relatives of Type 1 Diabetics, the omega-3s in fish oil have been linked to a reduced risk of the onset of diabetes in children with an increased risk of Type 1.
Me and My fish...
For me, eating fish is a no-brainer. I enjoy eating it. I feel as equally satisfied eating fish as any other meat. It gives me an easy swap to cut down my consumption of red meat. And, on top of all that, it really is a powerhouse food. I feel good when I eat it and that feeling is my body’s way of telling me to eat up. I am listening. I truly believe that healing lies within it for me.
I am still careful about the fish I choose to eat. Eating fish can result in extra toxicity in my system. Fish populations these days often have undetected plastic particles in their digestive system, having consumed plastic debris from the polluted oceans. Mercury and heavy-metal toxicity are also concerning, particularly when consuming larger fish like swordfish and king mackerel. Lastly, from an environmental point of view, overfishing is a global concern today. Therefore, I am choosing to eat fish but from sustainable sources wherever and whenever I can.
Natalie is a blogger with Type 1 Diabetes. Natalie's special gifts are questioning the status quo and being a rebel. She is using these gifts to question medical 'knowledge' and find a true cure for Type 1 Diabetes.
